Princeton University considers meningitis vaccine

Share this story

PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) — Princeton University officials are deciding whether to give students a meningitis vaccine that hasn't been approved in the U.S. to stop the spread of the disease.

A decision could be made as early as Monday.

The Food and Drug Administration last week approved importing Bexsero for possible use on Princeton's campus. The vaccine is approved in Europe and Australia. It's the only vaccine for use against the type B meningococcal bacteria.

Health officials confirmed the Ivy league school's seventh case of meningitis last week. Six students and a visitor have been diagnosed since March.

Meningitis can be spread through kissing, coughing or lengthy contact.

The school told students to wash their hands, cover their mouths when coughing and not share items such as drinking glasses and eating utensils.